The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 04, 2005
Filed:
Mar. 10, 2004
Richard Murray Kleber, Clarkston, MI (US);
Edward W. Bennett, Clarkston, MI (US);
Richard Harry Hammar, Utica, MI (US);
Richard Murray Kleber, Clarkston, MI (US);
Edward W. Bennett, Clarkston, MI (US);
Richard Harry Hammar, Utica, MI (US);
General Motors Corporation, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A flask and tool assembly includes a forming tool insert that is housed within an insulated flask having four vertical sides. An insulation enclosure surrounds the flask and the flask contains a heater plate for contacting the bottom of the forming tool insert. The tops of the sides of the flask provide surfaces for gripping bottom edges of a sheet metal blank to be formed. A cover for the tool-containing flask provides complementary gripping surfaces for top edges of the sheet metal blank and defines a chamber above the sheet metal blank for pressurized forming gas. A peripheral seal underlies the sheet metal blank and bridges a space between the outer side surfaces of the forming tool insert and the inner surfaces of the sides of the flask, thereby obviating the need to provide a precision fit between the flask and forming tool insert.